Discussion Questions  |  14 June 2020

SERMON SUMMARY

As we emerge from isolation due to the Covid19 pandemic we need the practical, down-to-earth wisdom found in Proverbs to navigate this new normal in the area of our relationships. The book of Proverbs can help us in transforming the way we cultivate our relationships in this new season. In particular, Proverbs has a lot to say regarding friendships. In order for us to have good friends we first of all need to be a good friend by being faithful, frank and forgiving. Ultimately, true friendship is found in Jesus who lay down his life for his friends.

DISCUSSION

Discuss one or more of the following questions:

Faithful: Read Proverbs 17:17; 18:24

1. What type of friend am I? How have I been a faithful friend to someone that I know?

2. Share with the group a personal experience of a faithful friend and/or a fair-weather friend. How did the friendship impact you?

Frank: Read Proverbs 27:6, 9, 17; 25:20

3. How comfortable are you in speaking a hard truth to a friend/spouse/children/family in love? Reveal a time when you did so and what was the outcome?

4. Recount a time when a friend spoke a difficult truth to you in love. How did you receive it and what was the eventual outcome?

5. How open and transparent are you with your friends/spouse/family? Are you able to receive advice/feedback from them that helps build up your character or are you too sensitive/proud?

Forgiving: Read Proverbs 17:9

6. Describe a situation where you found it difficult to forgive someone or overlook his or her faults. How did you eventually reconcile the tension in the relationship?

7. What insights have you gained so far after committing to the daily reading of the book of Proverbs?